Film-developing machine.



R. L. BURTON. FILM. DEVELOPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION 11.21) In 2a, 1908.

Patented May 4, 1909.

2 SEEETBSHEBT 1.

guuentoz lmlllmlluum.

wmmm 5649M- R. L. BURTON.

FILM DEVELOPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23, 1908.

Patented May 1909.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2. 3. 5 P 26 gnuautoz Wi #11 zoom UNITED strA rEsrATENtr orrron.

JALPH L. BURTON, OF ORTONVILLE, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES OHRISMAN, OF ORTONVILLE, MINNESOTA.

FILM-DEVELOPIN G MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4, 1909.

Application filed May 23, 1908. Serial No. 434,655.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, RALPH L. BURTON, citizen of the United States, residing at Ortonville, in the county of Bigs tone and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Film-Developing Machines, of which the following is 'a specification. The present invention relates to improvements in machines of that type which are utilized for developing the exposed surface of photographic films, and the object of the in vention is the provision of a highly efficient machine of this character which is simple and inexpensive in'its construction and economical in the use of the developing fluid.

The invention further cont'em dates a photographic developing machine, 'y means of which. a comparatively large number of films may be simultaneously developedfand which embodies novel means for engaging the films and retaining themin proper position.

With these and other objects in view that will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain constructions and arrangements of the parts that I shall hereinafter fully describe, and then point out the novel features thereof, in the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, and to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction, reference is to be had to the following descripiionand accompanying drawings, in whic 1:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a photographic film developing machine constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View through the same;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view through a portion of the developing drum; and, Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of one of the wedge members by means ofwhich the films are applied to the developing drum.

(orresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawings, by the same reference characters.

The improved photographic developing machine embodying the present invention, comprises essentially a cylindrical drum 1 designed to have the films applied to the pe riphery thereof, the-said drum being jourtion 2 and an upper section 3 which is slidably mounted u on the lower section and cooperates therewith to form a li ht-proof construction, the developing flui being placed in the lower section 2 so as to act upon the exposed sensitive surface of the films, as the drum is rotated. The casing-within which the drum is mounted, is shown as cylindrical in shape and as supported upon the end standards 4 which have their lower' edges notched to receive the ends of a tubular uide member 5 which is arranged longitu inall with respect to the casing and extends un er the same. As shown, on the drawing, this tubular guide member 5 has a triangular cross section.

e casing, it'will be observed that one end 2 thereof is circular in sha e and is provided at its central portion wit 1 a bearing 6, while the opposite end 2' is semicircular in shape and is provided with a bearing 7, the two bearings 6 and 7 receiving the trunnions or shaft upon which the drum 1 is mounted. The upper longitudinal edges of the lower section 2 are suitably bent to provide the V-shaped grooves 8 which are designed to receive the trian ular ribs 9 projecting outwardly from the lower longitudinal edges of i the upper section 3 of the casing. One end casing is closed, this open end abuts a ainst the upwardly projecting p0 tion of t e circular end 2 of the lower se tion 2 which is provided with an inwardly projecting flange 10. This flange 10 overlaps the upper section of the casing so as to provide a lightproof joint when the two sections of the easing are in an o )erative position. The opposite end 3 oft e upper section. of the casing is semicircular in shape and is connected by upwardly divergin braces 11 to a triangular rod 12 which is sli ably mounted within the tubular guide 5 at the base of the machine. It will thus be obvious that when the upper section 3 is withdrawn, the braces 11 will serve to support the same. It will also be observed that the rod 12 which telescopes within the tubularguide 5, will tend to direct the upper section 3 of the casing in its movements, so as to prevent any binding thereof. For the purpose of preventing light from entering the casing around the bearing 7 naled within a casing comprising a lower secof this upper section 3 is open, and when the Specifically describing the lower section 2 of t A funnel 14 is applied to the exterior of the casing, and in the present instance, is shown as secured to the end 2 of the lower section of the casing. A tube 15 leads downwardly from the funnel and communicates with the interior of the casing at the bottom thereof, so that should any liquid such as develo fluid be poured'into the funnel, it willlie directed into the casing. The 0 posits end of the casing is provided at t e ase thereof with a discharge opening 16 which is normally closed by a removable plug 17 which constitutes a means for withdrawing the developing fluid from the casing.

The cylindrical drum 1 is mounted upon a shaft 18 which is journaled within the bearings 6 and 7, and the said drum comprises the heads 1 connected by a peripheral row of slats 1 the said members being formed of any suitable material, although as shown on the drawing, they are preferably formed of metal, so as not to absorb or be acted upon by the developer. When the upper section 3 of the casing has been moved to one side,

- the developing drum 1 may be completely may be rea removed from the casing, if desired, that end of the shaft 18 which projects through the bearing 6 having a handle 19 detachably applied thereto. Under some conditions, it' ht be found desirable to dispense with this andle 19, and to provide means for rotating the drum by a motor or similar device. i

The films which are to be developed are applied to the slatted surface of the drum, with their exposed sensitive surface facing outwardly, and the ends of the films are engaged by wedges 20 which are inserted between the slats 1 In the present instance, these wedges 20 are shown as composed of V-shaped pieces of sheet metal, the wings of which have a spring action and are designed to be forced together when ap lying the wedges to the drum. It will also be observed that the two wings of each of the wedge members are provided with a depression 20 designed to receive one of the slats 1 of the drum. Then applying these wedges they are grasped with the hand, and the two s force together so that they y inserted in the required position between the slats of the drum. As soon as the pressure upon the wings is released, they immediately spring a art so that the depressions 20 engage the s ats 1 the wedge member being thereb securely held m position, and the film being clam ed a amst one of the slats. The entire sur ace 0 the drum ma be covered with 7 these films, and as the is revolved, all of the various films are simultaneously subjected to the action of the developing fluid in the bottom of the casing. 1

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a photographic developing machine, the combination of a casing comprising a lower section and an upper section mounted u on the lower section to slide horizontall t ereon and designed to cooperate therewit 1 to provide a light-proof structure, and a developing drum rotatably mounted within the casing. I

2; n a photogra hlc developing machine, the comblnation 0 a casing comprlslng a lower section and an upper section mounted upon the-lower section to slide horizontally thereon, means for supporting the upper section when moved to one side, and a develo ing drum rotatably mounted within t e casm 3. In a photographic developing machine, the combination 0 a casing comprising a lower section and an upper section mounted u on the lower section to slide horizontally t ereon, a slide at the base of the casing, means cooperating with the slide to support the u per section of the casing when it 1s move to one side, anda deve oping drum rotatably mounted within the casing.

4., In a photographic developing machine,

the combination of a casing comprising a lower section and an upper section mounted u on the lower section to slide horizontally t ereon, a standard for sup orting the easing, a tubular guide carried y the standard, a rod slidably mounted within the tubular guide, means cooperating with the rod for supportin the upper section of the casing when the atter is moved to one side, and a developing drum revolubly mounted. within the casing.

5. In a photographic developing machine,

the combmation of a casing comprising a lower section and an upper section mounted u on the lower section to slide horizontally 't ereon, standards for supporting the cas- .mounted thereon .to slide horizontally, the

lower section having a circular end and a semicircular end and being provided at its upper longitudinal edges with grooves, while t e upper section is open at one end which abuts against the circular end of the lower section, the opposite end of the u per section being semicircular, and the F edgesofthe upper section being formed with ongitudinal v ribs which are received within the grooves of the lower section, and a developing drum rotatably mounted within the casing.

7. In a photographic developing machine, the combination of a casing comprising a lower section and an upper section removably applied to the lower section and cooperating therewith to provide a light-proof structure, one end of the lower section being provided with a discharge opening, a closure normally closing the discharge opening, a funnel u on the exterior of the casing, a tube leadin rom the funnel and communicating with 1; 1e lower portion of the casing, and a developing drum mounted within the casing.

8. In a photographic developing machine, the combination of a casing, a slatted drum revolubly mounted within the casing, and wedges cooperating with the slats of the drum to retain the films in position thereon.

9. In a photogra hic developing machine, the combination of a casing, a slatted drum revolubly mounted within the casing, and wedges adapted to be inserted between the slats of the drum for retaining the films in position, the said wedges being formed with spring-acting wings.

10. In a photographic developing machine, the combination of a casing, a slatted drum revolubly mounted within the casing, and V-shaped wedges adapted to be inserted between the slats to retain the films in position upon the drum, the said V'-shaped wedges being formed with sprin -aeting wings each of which is formed wit a depression for receiving one of the slats.

1 1. In a photographic film developing machine, the combination of a casing, a slatted member movably mounted within the casing, and wedges cooperating with the slats of the slatted member to retain the films in position thereon.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RALPH ,L. BURTON.

Witnesses:

CHAS. E. OHRISMAN, J. H. KING. 

